I'm not confusing anything. It is not a law indeed, just a guideline. But every landlord you'll be dealing with here most likely will use it to decline your application. There's enough higher earning applicants here, and cheap flats are in high demand.

Whilst I appreciate what you are saying, my experience is that Swiss people and higher earners don't want to apply for limited let apartments. In fact, I've just dug out an email from the vendor of our first apartment saying they only had 2 applicants, and the other applicant ended up taking the apartment beneath ours.

I would strongly advise anyone who is new to the country and on a limited income, to search the term 'befristet' when they use Comparis and Homegate. There are bargains to be had in apartments due for demolition or refurbishment. Our first apartment, from Dec 2015-Apr 2016, was 80m 3.5rooms in a 1950's building with a huge balcony directly facing the lake. The apartment was in perfect condition and our rent was 1600CHF, but it's been demolished this week to make way for a glass and concrete box.

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Hello, I am new to the forum, I am looking for some guidance regarding a new Swiss adventure I'd like to embark on. After months of research, I have succeeded in getting a job offer, in the field of digital marketing, with 5 years of work experience.

I was offered 68 000 chf yearly gross, which if I calculated correctly would be around 4340 monthly net x 13 salaries.

Why not ask HR if they can do a simulation? Then they can also take pension contributions etc into account and give a much more accurate estimation.

I didn't say you can't live on that salary, students totally live on far lower budget than that! But whether you could call it a life is a different question. You need to take into account that how much more expensive everything is in Switzerland. 2000 Fr have far more buying power in EU/Italy than in Switzerland.

I had my own place, I went out and partied, I ate, I drank. Of course I didn't save much, but that was by my own lifestyle choice.

To say that was 'no kind of life', as though I was on the breadline and fighting to exist, is just ridiculous and shows you don't really know what you're talking about.

Thank you all for your insight. Are you sure 6800 gross translates to just 3500 net a month. I calculated it would be around 4 340 net for 13 salaries. A bit more with 12 salaries.

Is there a reliable website where this calculation can be performed?

Again, thank you so much

The summary of what has been said above is this;

Yes, you can survive with this salary and yes only by making a lot of sacrifices. Know that you are being screwed over by the employer as this is your first job in Switzerland and this is the only reason why he is hiring you and not someone here. With time your salary will increase.

With this info, you need to ask yourself if it is worth to change your established life? If yes, welcome to switzerland!

I think much is already said.
I think it's not the high salary for the Swiss standards, however it always depends on your personality, lifestyle and way of spending money.
I'd say you can live with that and save a bit, but not really much.
If there are no issues with your health etc, that you don;t need the specialists like a doctor, dentist etc, or you could avoid driving car, and find apartment up to 1600, then it's fine.
With the time you might get increase or find another job.
It' fine for the start so you can really see if you're able to survive and test yourself.
However, if you decide to have a family or get married, then fun starts...
I believe that CH is not really country made for families and kids. You would get double taxation if you get married (if your wife works as well), which is for me completely nonsense. With kids - kindergarden cost from 2.5k CHF+ per month if you're lucky. So there are always things to be put on weight.
I wish you good luck and be brave, fight for more if you can
all d best

It is totally feasible, I work part-time and earn less, the key is to not have any outstanding debt payments to cut into your already low salary and preferably live in a flatshare, certainly to start with. One, it will save you money, two, it helps to find your way around life in Switzerland and three, you are highly likely to be included in activities that your flatmates do (if they are sociable people), thus dramatically lowering the chances of becoming one of those expats who feel lonely and bored.

Of course, this means you have to choose your flatmates wisely as sharing living space can also go spectacularly wrong - on the upside, it is usually easy and quick to get out of flatshares. A further advantage is that you will have somewhere to live, maybe even furnished, while you figure out where you would like your own apartment and whether Switzerland is for you. Good luck!

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It depends on your the lifestyle. For an everyday Joe 68k are certainly enough unless you need to party every weekend, big holidays twice a year and eat out every other day. But that's not characteristic of your everyday Joe to begin with.

I've lived for a few years on 52k (before deductions) not that long ago, smoked two packets a day, had a car (about 20k km a year), but apartment was in a town with just about 10k residents so rent much lower than Zürich city.

You shouldn't ask this question in an expat forum Inofficial EF poverty level is 120k. Actual poverty level is about a third of that. Average salary in CH is about 75k. I wonder how they all survive...

My brother earns quite a bit less than that and manages just fine incl. a car (no leasing), own apartment (no flat share) and vacations (outside Europe) twice a year, plus the odd wellness weekend in between. And no, he's not just eating dry pasta either. I had a good enough life for years on 50k, with a similar lifestyle (car, own apartment, vacation overseas once or twice a year). And no, that wasn't back in the 70s, but about 10-12 years ago.

Not every job is destined for the big bucks. It's always amusing how people seem to think just because you move countries, you will instantly earn much more and get dirty rich in an average job. It's called average for a reason, so in an average job you will earn an average salary everywhere in the world, adapted to local standards - simple as that. Also, 5 years of experience is not that much, really. Sounds all ok to me and you'll be fine.

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